Courtesy: UEFA.com (CLICK HERE AND ENJOY THE VIDEO!)


Spain stars and Xavi on futsal supremacy

Luis Amado, Ortiz, Pola and coach José Venancio López tell UEFA.com about Spain's bid to win another Futsal EURO title while Xavi Hernández explains why he will be cheering them on.

Monday 30 January 2012

Spain begin UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 against Slovenia in Zagreb on Tuesday as the team to beat – small wonder given they have won the last three editions, and five in all, as well as two FIFA Futsal World Cups.

Goalkeeper Luis Amado – part of their last four European successes – experienced defender Ortiz, rising star Pola and coach José Venancio López speak to UEFA.com about maintaining their dominance while another continental and global champion, Xavi Hernández, explains his own love of futsal, saying: "You can see the talent of the footballer; perhaps in regular football you cannot appreciate the talent, everything is more physical."



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Novak looks to Croatia legacy

Croatia captain Tihomir Novak is sure the hosts can give a good account of themselves and is keen for his team "to do something that will be remembered in the futsal world".

Monday 30 January 2012

by Elvir Islamovic & Simon Hart

As tournament hosts, Croatia are back on the UEFA European Futsal Championship stage for the first time in over a decade and their captain, Tihomir Novak, is determined that they capitalise on a golden opportunity "to do something that will be remembered in the futsal world".

For Novak, UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 offers the perfect chance to promote the sport in Croatia, and the MNK Split defender knows that this missionary work will be all the more successful if the home team can give their supporters something to shout about.

"This is a great chance to attract people to the arenas – people who have already shown that they like futsal and those who are going to like it even more after this competition," said the 25-year-old. "But our involvement in the competition is not enough – we need to do something on the pitch, to achieve a significant result."

Key to the hosts' prospects, he believes, will be their ability to handle the "extra pressure" of playing in front of large crowds with "huge expectations" – something they are not used to. "We're aware that we'll have our fans in the stands and we're all hoping we respond well to that and put in the extra effort for them on the pitch."

Croatia kick off the tournament against Group A rivals Romania in Split on Tuesday before being reacquainted with the Czech Republic side that ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2010 finals. Novak has painful memories of that March 2009 reverse in Ostrava – needing a draw, he put his team 2-1 ahead in the 39th minute, only for them to concede twice before the last whistle and miss out. "We're waiting to avenge our defeat in the last qualifiers and we'll be playing at home," he said.

Novak sees plenty of reasons to be optimistic about his squad's qualities, not least thanks to the influence of coach Mato Stankoviæ, who also oversees his club side and is adept at "keeping team spirit strong". Meanwhile, players such as Dario Marinoviæ and Josip Šuton possess the ability to beat defenders. "We're strongest in one-on-one duels, also in dribbling," said Novak, himself capable of outfoxing opponents.

And how far can they go? Novak considers Spain the favourites, followed by Russia, Italy and Portugal, yet he is upbeat about Croatia's credentials. "I believe that if we find our top form, and with a little help from our fans, we can reach the knockout phase. If we get past the group stage, anything is possible."

This is an edited version of a feature from the official tournament programme. Download now




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Croatia seeking a lift as Romania await

Playing in their first final tournament in 11 years, hosts Croatia face Romania in their Group A opener with coach Mato Stankovic confident his players can give the nation a sporting boost.

Monday 30 January 2012

by Wayne Harrison from Split

If the mood in Croatia is slightly downcast following a third-place finish in this month's men's continental handball finals, the country's futsal side, as hosts, can provide the perfect pick-me-up with victory in their UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 Group A opener against Romania.

Hopes were high that Croatia – world handball champions in 2003 and twice runners-up since – could bring back gold from the competition, which concluded across the border in Serbia on Sunday. Having dominated the front and back pages here of late, handball is making way for another indoor sport as Croatia's futsal players prepare for their first final tournament appearance in 11 years.

Asked if his squad could lift the nation's spirits by claiming three points in Split on Tuesday, coach Mato Stankovic said: "I hope so but you never know. First of all, I hope the hall will be full and after that anything is possible. Now that it [the handball] has finished maybe people will look towards the futsal."

Stankovic and his players will be vociferously backed at the Spaladium Arena but the coach knows that hosting a major event can be a double-edged sword. "We have a lot pressure on our shoulders, people expect a lot from us in this tournament," he said. "We are a very young team and I hope that the pressure and the home crowd will give us the advantage, and that we'll repay them with the result that everyone in Croatia expects from us."

Leading Romania in their second EURO in three editions – they first qualified for the 2007 finals in Portugal – the experienced Sito Rivera has no qualms about his charges being able to handle the occasion. "I know my players very well, many of them have played in the UEFA Futsal Cup with [City'Us] Târgu Mureº and Gyõri [ETO FC]," he said. "We will play well in the first game and are focused: the atmosphere will not be a problem for us."

The sides met twice in Croatia 12 months ago, with the hosts losing the first friendly 4-1 before recording a 5-2 win the next day. "They have a very young team but also a lot of talent – I expect them to play well," said Rivera. Stankovic added: "They are a very good team with ten or 11 players of equal ability. They're very experienced side with a lot of good points."




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com